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Overview

Enter the magical world of a little boy with a big imagination in Prince A. Sanders's delightful debut, Which Fork's First? From the very first page of this unique children's book, kids will learn proper table manners while embarking on a whimsical romp through the Big Apple!

The first in the Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince series, Which Fork's First? introduces six-year-old Prince, a smart and curious little boy who lives with his mother, father, and brother in New York City. Along with his hamster and constant companion, Popcorn, Prince embarks on a series of adventures that ultimately teaches him some of life's more puzzling lessons.

It is Prince's birthday weekend, and his family has surprised him with the best gift of all: tickets to a Broadway show and a fancy, grown-up dinner at the New York Hotel. Prince is over the moon, but quickly learns that there is a catch. In order to dine at such an upscale eatery, Prince must learn proper table etiquette-and fast!

Accompanied by engaging illustrations that will simultaneously spark children's imaginations while sending them into fits of giggles, Which Fork's First? follows Prince's often hilarious road toward politeness. As difficult as it may seem to Prince while he tries to keep the forks, glasses, and napkins straight, he learns that anything is possible with the help of his family and trusty sidekick.

Which Fork's First? is the perfect book for parents, grandparents, or teachers who would like to teach kids proper table etiquette in a fun and interactive way. Written for children up to age twelve, this imaginative debut showcases an inventive blend of learning and laughter.

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Product Details

About the Author

Prince A. Sanders is a former classical ballet dancer who toured with such companies as The Kirov and Joffrey Ballet. After retiring, Sanders went on to work for a variety of service based companies, including the W Hotel.

Sanders currently works as the Assistant Rooms Executive for The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. Having won the Ritz-Carlton 2010 Leader of the Year Award, Sanders became a certified speaker and trainer for programs such as "Legendary Service at The Ritz-Carlton," "Back to Basics: Ritz-Carlton Style," and "Radar On, Antenna Up."

Sanders's numerous talents extend to writing as well, as he is also hard at work on the children's series The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Prince. The first volume, Which Fork's First?, is now available.

Sanders is a native New Yorker and currently lives in The Bronx.

Editorial Reviews

2014-02-06In a charmingly illustrated picture book by debut author Sanders, a young boy must learn proper table etiquette to prepare for his fancy birthday celebration. Prince, a 6-year-old African-American boy, lives an ordinary life with his parents, brother and a hamster named Popcorn in New Rochelle, N.Y. When his mother reveals his birthday surprise—a trip to Broadway in New York City and a fancy dinner at the New York Hotel—Prince knows he must learn how to behave at an upscale restaurant. But when his mother tries to teach him the rules, he gets distracted, daydreaming "about discovering a new species of lizard and kicking the winning goal at the next soccer game." Luckily for Prince, Popcorn later coaches him through his table manners in a dream. Sanders' text then turns into a list of do's and don'ts, but Ditya's cartoon illustrations bring out the humor, showing who's behaving properly by placing a green checkmark over Popcorn's head and a red X over Prince's. Prince's initial reluctance to learn table manners ("His mother always found a way to turn something fun into homework") may resonate with young readers, who, like him, may not immediately see the importance of knowing the proper order for using forks. But after Popcorn's clever coaching, kids will likely be rooting for Prince to succeed. Although the text is somewhat long for lap reading, young independent readers will find the vocabulary manageable. It's refreshing to see a modern African-American family depicted for a picture-book audience—a too-rare occurrence. However, some readers may find one depiction of Popcorn as a stereotyped Native American uncomfortable. The story does make New York City seem magical and glamorous, which even children who live far away from the big city will appreciate. Prince is a charming hero, and Popcorn is an adorable sidekick, and they'll certainly draw readers back for future episodes in the series. An eye-catching, clever take on teaching table manners.